Promoter Clive Bowen points to the over 3,000 signatures of dancehall fans lobbying for the continuation of Japsey Thursday. (Photo: Alan Lewin)

MONTEGO BAY, St James

Clive Bowen, promoter of 'Japsey Thursday', the popular street dance, has gathered over 3,000 signatures of dancehall fans who are petitioning for an ammendment to the Night Noise Abatement Act to keep the popular dance alive.

Japsey Thursday, which is staged along Barnett Lane, caters to patrons who generally attend the party after 1:00 am Fridays.

Under the Night Noise Abatement Act these dances must end at midnight during weekdays and 2:00 am on weekends.
Recently the police, in accordance with the act which was passed in 1997, took some patrons who normally attend the popular dance in the wee hours of the morning by surprise, by shutting down the event at midnight.

This prompted a massive demonstration by the incensed patrons.

A strong police/military presence had to be maintained along sections of Barnett Street and Barnett Lane to keep the rioting patrons in check.
Yesterday Bowen made it clear that he was not responsible for the riot.

"What happen is from 11:55 pm me turn off the sound and and go home go sleep. After I heard me come down and tell them (patrons) to quell it down even though we don't agree a just so it go," he explained.

Since then the future of the famous night-time entertainment function has been in limbo.

But, Bowen, aka 'Japanese' or 'Japs', is toying with the option of switching the event from Thursdays to Saturdays.

"Basically if they (legislators) insist on 12:00 midnight how it set it would be impossible. Patrons would have to come from 8:00 pm," Bowen explained. "Kinda thinking about Saturday nights that is an option we might explore probably they might give us to 2:30 am or 3:00am that will make more sense.
People look forward to the event so I guess they will adjust".
Commander of the St James Police Division Superintendent Steve McGregor told the Observer West that he was willing to consider granting permission for the staging of the show on Saturdays.

"I have written to them (promoters) stating that they would have to apply for another day because we are refusing to grant any permission for Thursdays anymore, so they have to apply and see how it goes," he said.

At the same time, the promoter cited the economic benefits which are derived by community members from the staging of the event.

"There are cane vendors, jerk chicken vendors that benefit from the dance; youths that get lunch money from proceeds of the dance and many more. Police must use their discretion," Bowen remarked.

And dedicated Japsey Thursday patron, Rose, is passionately defending the event, noting that no illegal activity is allowed at the dance.

" I don't go to no other event because I feel safer here, not because I live here but the whole presentation is love, so peaceful. Father Japs bring love over war. If me lost me cell phone me can get it back, nobody naw thief it," she declared." Even the youths them who inna a war from long time start come a dance and nobody naw fight."

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